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Commissary reopens with new fixtures, more space

  • Published
  • By Kevin Gaddie
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Eglin's commissary, re-vitalized by a two-year long, $24 million renovation project, introduced its new look with a grand re-opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony Feb. 9.

"The commissary started out as a fairly small store back in 1972," Col. Bill Porter, 96th Air Base Wing vice-commander, said in his opening remarks. "This is only the second major renovation that has been done. The first one was done 20 years ago, in 1991."

Colonel Porter said more than 6,000 square feet was added to the existing facility, expanding the commissary to 58,000 square feet. The project was paid for through DeCA surcharge funds.

The commissary's improvements include a repaired roof; a new lighting system; new floors, walls, ceramic tiles and carpeting; two new shopping cart areas; renovated check out areas and check stands; a reconstructed store walkway and new administrative office spaces.

"There isn't one area of the commissary that hasn't been touched," said Luana Harris, the store director.

Patrons now have wider aisles to move through and more selections on the electronically-labeled shelves, which ensure proper pricing.

In keeping with Eglin's commitment to reduce energy costs base-wide, the commissary's new refrigeration sections are more energy efficient, costing 10 percent less to keep refrigerated items cold, according to Mrs. Harris.

During the renovations, Colonel Porter likened customers' shopping experiences to a 'Where's Waldo?' game scenario at times, when searching for various items.

"On any given day, we had to figure out if the paper towels were here or way over there," he joked. "Did someone move the salsa from up here to down there? It was kind of interesting for those of us who shop here."

Porter credited the project's contractors and the commissary staff's joint efforts with minimizing the impact on shoppers during the renovation.  Commissary patron Teri Schenke was pleased with the end result.

"It's wonderful," she said. "It's obviously been a little trying at times, but it's been well worth it."

Harris said Eglin's commissary services approximately 58,000 customers a month, with monthly sales surpassing $4 million.

"The renovations will make for a more cheerful atmosphere for our customers," Harris said. "It's a better environment for the customers to shop in."